Sensex down 90 points, rupee up 9 paise in early trade

BSE Sensex fell over 90 points where rupee strengthened by 9 paise to 62.59 against the US dollar in early trade today

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 90 points in opening trade today on selling by foreign funds and retail investors, triggered by a weak trend in the Asian region.

The 30-share barometer fell by 90.36 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 20,423.49. The index had gained 15.60 points in the previous session.

Stocks of IT, consumer durables, realty, capital goods and oil and gas sectors led the fall.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 26.10 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 6,063.40. Brokers said trading sentiment dampened largely in line with a weak trend in the Asian region following another global sell-off caused by anxieties over emerging markets and further disappointing manufacturing data from China.

In the Asian region, the Japan’s Nikkei down 1.24 per cent in early trade today, while Hong Kong markets closed for public holiday.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.94 per cent lower in Friday’s trade.

Rupee up 9 paise against dollar in early trade

The rupee strengthened by 9 paise to 62.59 against the US dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today on increased selling of the American currency by exporters.

Forex dealers said increased selling of the dollar by exporters supported the rupee but a lower opening in the domestic equity market and weakness in other currencies against the American currency overseas capped the gains.

The rupee had lost 12 paise to close at 62.68 on Friday weighed down by demand for the American currency from importers.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 90.36 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 20,423.49 in early trade today.